MY HUSBAND MOVED HIS MOM AND NEPHEW INTO MY HOUSE BEHIND MY BACK. WHEN I OBJECTED, MY MIL CROSSED A SERIOUS LINE: “DON’T LIKE IT? GET OUT!” I SAID, “FINE, JUST WAIT.”

of Maya Chen, the attorney who had handled my father’s estate and, more recently, my asset-protection plan.

At 9:14 p.m., I sent Eric one message: You have until 8:00 tomorrow morning to remove your guests voluntarily.

He replied with a laughing emoji.

Then Diane texted from his phone: Grow up.

Useful. I saved everything.

Maya met me in the conference room wearing sweatpants under her winter coat. She had known me for twelve years and understood that when I called after nine, something had gone seriously wrong.